JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jaguars won’t be the only thing Jacksonville sends to London over the next few years.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was in Jacksonville Tuesday to announce a new trade partnership with the United Kingdom.
“We wanted to be able to forge deeper partnerships, and today, that is coming to fruition," said DeSantis.
DeSantis says Florida’s economy is bigger than many countries, so he thought it was time for the state to have a bigger global trade footprint. “We did Japan, South Korea, Israel and London in basically a week, whirlwind tour."
Jaxport already welcomes four ships from the U.K. regularly with stuff like food, beverages, cars and furniture, but the governor says the new partnership will add stuff like Artificial intelligence and semi-conductors.
“Florida’s world-leading capabilities in launch infrastructure, rocket engines, navigation, guidance systems are second to none," said U.K. Secretary of State for Business and Trade Kemi Badenoch.
Jaxport Chief Commercial Officer Robert Peek points out a lot of Jaxport’s activity tends to be more export heavy, like it’s partnership with Puerto Rico.
When it comes to the United Kingdom, however, it’ll be more import heavy.
Perhaps more important than what’s on the ships, he thinks the new trade agreement will encourage British business to set up shop in the Sunshine state.
“It’s a public affirmation that Florida wants to do business with companies in the U.K.," said Peek. "They want to go where they’re wanted.”
The governor mentioned Florida welcomes more than a million British tourists over the year, so First Coast News asked Peek if a London-bound cruise could be one of the new ships they welcome.
He said that’s not in the cards – it’d be a long way to go for a cruise.
However, Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan said in a statement she's had conversations about a direct flight.
Her full statement about the new trade agreement:
"This morning's meeting was the next step in furthering the Jacksonville-London relationship after our delegation's recent trip there. I'm grateful for the Secretary's visit and the discussion about increasing trade and investment and launching a direct flight. The Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between the UK and Florida this afternoon is another exciting development that will bring more jobs and business to Jacksonville."